Information for First Holy Communion 8th/15th June 2019

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION MASS – 12.00 Saturday 8th and 15th June 2019 – ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE DAY

Photographs – The photographer will be in the church hall from 10.00 a.m. onwards so that all photographs can be taken before Mass. Children and families should begin to arrive from 10.00 a.m. and it is planned that all photographs will have been taken by 11.40 a.m. The photographer will take an individual photograph of each Communicant and a family photograph if requested. A separate letter will follow with an attached proforma and proofs to indicate which photographs will be required.

Flowers – Parents are asked for a donation of £3.00 per family towards of the cost of flowers for the church. Please give this to Fr Neil.

Volunteers to clean Church – The church will be open at 7.30 p.m on Friday 7th and Friday 14th June 2019 for those parents who kindly volunteered to clean the church in preparation for First Holy Communion. (A quick sweep through is all that is required No polishing! – think of the dresses… six people = half an hour!)

Sashes/ Ties – Boys will be given red sashes by school staff in the church hall on the day. Parents are asked for a donation of £5.00 for the red tie, which you will then receive in the week prior to the Holy Communion. (Either from Holy Cross School – or from Fr. Neil if your child is not in Holy CRoss School). All boys will wear red ties with the chalice, host and date on them. It is requested that the boys wear long sleeved white shirts.

Hands and Gifts – The children will be asked not to wear gloves or to hold items in their hands. Please would families keep such items with them until after Mass.

Seating – Each family will have a bench in church. Any additional seating will be towards the back of the church and in the side chapel on a first come, first served basis. Once families have had their photographs taken they should begin to move towards the church. All families and their children will need to be seated in their benches by 11.50 a.m. The children receiving Holy Communion must be seated in specific allocated places on the benches.

Practice sessions- On Thursday 6th and 13th June (in the week before their First Holy Communion), the children will need ‘time off from school’ to attend a practice session at Holy Cross Church. The children should arrive by 1.45pm and will need to be collected from the Church at 3.00pm on both of these days.

Mobile Phones – Please ensure that all mobile phones are switched off during the service.

PARKING ON THE DAY – Please be considerate to our neighbours and ask your family and friends to be so too. We do not want the Mass spoilt by an irate neighbour shouting about poor parking.

Once the Mass is finished please feel free to leave at your own convenience. The children are well prepared and should have a lovely day. Please pray for dry weather!